Dîner en Blanc: What to Wear to a White Party

by Jahna Peloquin

Published: August 2017

A scene from Polo en Blanc 2016

Courtesy Polo for Philanthropy

Wearing all-white is a summertime tradition, whether it be for a white party or Dîner en Blanc, a pop-up, open-air dinner under the stars with guests dressed in white. The Twin Cities hosts several Dîner en Blanc parties throughout the summer, including tomorrow evening's Polo en Blanc, which gets a sporty twist against the backdrop of the Twin City Polo Club in Maple Plain, Minnesota. The event includes live music, a white floral arrangement competition, a white hat competition, games of chance, and an exotic white car show. Masquerade masks, hats, parasols, cravats, wigs, artistic expressions, and anything in Monegasque style are strongly encouraged.

When it comes to dressing for a Dîner en Blanc, it's important to consider a number of factors:

Stay cool and comfortable: Since it's an outdoor event, you'll want to consider the temperature by wearing lighter fabrics, such as linen and cotton, and wear looser fabrics rather than skin-tight body-con.

Wear appropriate footwear: Most often, Dîner en Blancs are hosted on grass, so you'll want to skip the stilettos and go for block heels, wedge heels, or even a pair of chic flats.

Have fun with it: A white party is a great opportunity to have fun with different silhouettes or whimsical accessories, since the plain white palette keeps things looking subdued and chic.

Don't know what to wear, and scrambling to put something together at the last minute? All of the below selections are available in the Twin Cities area from local boutiques, J.Crew, and Nordstrom at the Mall of America.

The All-White Suit: It doesn't get more striking than going head-to-toe in an all-white suit. Go for a linen option to keep yourself cool and comfortable, or try pairing a shell with pants for a sleek alternative to a dress.

White-Hot Accessories: Add on all-white accessories to finish the look off with a white-hot bang. A bridal fascinator is totally wearable for non-brides in this instance. Scarborough Fair Boutique in St. Paul has several options (a few of which are pictured below), as well as some sparkly masquerade masks. If you don't want to go all-white, metallic gold and silver accents are great options.

Friday, August 4 from 5:30-11:30 p.m. @ Twin City Polo Club, 6755 Turner Rd., Maple Plain. Tickets are $35 each or $500 for a table of eight, available at thepoloclassic.com. Sales benefit several area nonprofits. Tables, chairs, and place-settings are provided. Guests may buy their own meals, or reserve a meal online, and there will be a cash bar.

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